AAUW Dialog

Wait! Before you think you don’t want to hear about “that Twitter thing,” as someone told me recently, I ask you to pause and listen to a story of exploration that put true meaning behind real-time education. If you are already part of the Twitter adventure, stick around. I’ve listed some great folks that you will want to follow as an individual interested in issues of importance to women and girls today and tomorrow.

Last year at about this time I wrote a blog post, “Make New Friends,” that talked about social media, what it was, and how AAUW was using it. I had recently started using Twitter but had not made the time to explore this newish phenom that was starting to make headlines. Wanting to practice what I was preaching, I started making Twitter time and, before I knew it, I was learning more about women’s issues from other’s tweets than I ever did simply scanning the daily news. It was like having my own research team at my fingertips, with links to verifiable information. I also found myself continually taking action — contributing to causes, writing my congressperson via links, signing petitions.

Eventually I paused to officially learn how to use Twitter to help highlight AAUW’s mission, activities, and “Take Action” abilities. Mainly I just jumped in and started tweeting about women’s issues, and before too long started getting “followers.” I realized that putting in links helped verify my short 140 character “story” and discovered bit.ly to help shorten those long URLs.

And I discovered that Twitter is a great equalizer. All Twitterers have the power to make their voices heard, to get their points across, to stand up for their causes. The women fighting for freedom in Iran made such a Twitter noise that they bumped their cause to the front pages of almost every news machine around the world. Of course everyone has the power to be biased, disrespectful, discriminatory, and just plain be a pig, but the great thing is you don’t have to follow them. I make a point though of touching base; type “women” in the search box every now and again, and it’ll remind you why AAUW and others who battle for equality are still so important today.

So take the plunge and you’ll find that your Twitter adventure will yield surprising results. Your heart strings will be touched (read this earlier AAUW post, for example), your knowledge will rise, and your urge to take action will grow even stronger. And you’ll find yourself making “friends without borders” as you get into conversations with other Twitterers. And, yes, ignore those salesfolks who promise you all kinds of rewards.

Here are some individuals or organizations you might find interesting or even controversial:

• Good go-to technology sources: @johnhaydon @kanter @jpippert @digitalsista
• For strong young feminist voices: @TheUndomestic @DanineSpencer @emzanotti @lizdonnelly @knitmeapony @Sophiabiabia @katie_stanton
• Good for info on gender-based violence: @SayNO_UNiTE; @abyss2hope @PixelProject
• Women’s issues/parenting/teens: @GloPan @ShelbyKnox @RachelJSimmons @SueScheff @CoachNancyP @womens_enews @ForbesWoman @WomensRights @Heartfeldt
• Women’s history buffs: @TheWomensMuseum. Also every Wednesday AAUW honors women in history. Put #wmnhist in search to follow.
• Some AAUW branches/members: @AAUWOhio @AAUWVA @AAUWNC @jasmine1972 @nes49 @bph @lindabrodskymd @pattyhankins @jpingram @DaveAAUW @rolemodelLisa @skeggy @MacMacGa @Wahtera
• AAUW: @AAUW @LindaHallman @kbster @hkearl @LisaMaatz @AAUWGloriaB @ClaudiaAAUW and yours truly @christytj

These are only a very few examples of Twitterers I have found of interest. There are thousands more that represent women’s issues extremely well (and in fact any other issue you may be interested in!). I would love to get more Twitter “handles” from you all. Whom do you follow and why?